Hubby from Pak, me from UK. He will think nothing of going out of his way to help friends and relatives, whether or not its convenient for him. He just can’t say no. me, well I wouldn’t say i’m totally unhelpful but unless its a close friend or one of my immediate family I will think twice about going out of my way to be helpful and i will question whether or not that person is taking liberties and how helpful would they be to me. Is this a western/eastern thing? or just personalties? is it because we are too busy in the west to just drop everything and stary helping people out?
Also hubby thinks I’m not memaanavaaz enough (welcoming to guests). His idea of being welcoming is serving every one who walks through the door a 3 course meal. Mine - cup of tea. Again, east/west thing or personalties?
Re: Is going out of your way to help people a pk thing?
Your lucky to have the guy ..
secondly, what ^^ jimmay says
thirddly i beleive its the good charactar in a person that brings out the best in you in bad times .. and mehmaan navazi is a blessing as if you serve them well ok maybe not 3 course meal but if they are ther fore some time in your place and its also time for a meal .. then they should be offered ..
and most importantly and fourthly .. it is neither a wester nor eastern thing its the ISLAMIC way.
I'll go out of my way to help people sometimes, I didn't grow up in Pak. All kind of personalities within the various races.
I've learned in a couple of my uni classes that western culture focuses more on individuality....making it on your own....and independence. Perhaps these qualities may encourage more reserve in helping others. If independence is a focus in a culture....then asking for help might be seen as neediness. If a culture celebrates the idea of making it on your own.....then maybe some people might feel that others also shouldn't have it easy...if they themselves had to work hard to succeed.
Eastern culture, on the other hand, focuses more on unity....collaboration. Perhaps this may play a role in in there being a lesser reserve or greater willingness in helping others.
Once again, can't stereotype all individuals of a particular culture. I've seen a mix of people (helpful, non-helpful, generous, stingy, tactful, tactless, warm, reserved, etc) in both groups.
***As **FBI **pointed out, religion can be an influence.
***Could be a personality trait. An extroverted person may be more trusting, mingles a lot of with people, doesn't mind helping them. Could be an introverted but sensitive individual who simply doesn't mind helping others.
Re: Is going out of your way to help people a pk thing?
Oh god i don't think I've put my case forward very well..........he is too much helpful with other people, with me its another story (as in he's not very helpful towards me).
Re: Is going out of your way to help people a pk thing?
Don't think it is a Pakistani thing; more so based on the individual. There are people, regardless of origin, ethinicity and race, who will go out of their way for others.
Re: Is going out of your way to help people a pk thing?
Can't be generalized, but I think Pakistanis are may be an itsy bitsy times more hospitable as it's religious as well as cultural. But I think it depends more on the personality of people than that, and then what type of community you grew up in plays a huge role as well.
People in West volunteer a lot more than Pakistanis, so that's going out of their way to help others- those that they don't even know. On the other hand, once someone from Pak knows you belong to their city in Pak- they get all courteous and stuff too. For you guys, I think it's just your personality vs his- I don't know why he wouldn't help you at the same level though.. hmm, time to talk to him?!
Re: Is going out of your way to help people a pk thing?
Don't want to generlize but there are differences..
even within Pakistan, you'll witness the Pashtuns being way more hospitable than any other community. or goto an Arab's place, generally they are hospitable people.
I've never been to a gora's house so I dunno...do people atually go expecting something.
I don't think so. As for our neighbors, they will usually just offer cookies with milk or coffee and cake etc for the rare occasion that we visit. Nothing like the awesome meals we make for our guests!
